We posted earlier today the shocking Editor's Note from this month's issue of Out Magazine, in which the editor-in-chief put Adam Lambert's management on blast for requesting his interview not come off as "too gay."

To back up his story, the journalist who interviewed Adam has also released a statement, detailing her part in what unfolded with Adam's people.

She writes:

"Let's get the most obvious thing out of the way first: Yes, it is totally absurd to imagine that anyone thinks they can somehow control or manage how gay Adam Lambert seems on any given day. You've seen him, right? Maybe read an interview with him? That's exactly what I love about Adam, that in addition to being able to sing his face off (his words), he is defiantly, outrageously campy and queer—and that he seems to have such a sense of humor about it, and a willingness to shake things up.

That said: Despite plenty of back and forth between the magazine and the label about the cover and the photo shoot, I still wasn't prepared for what happened when I showed up at the 19 Entertainment offices for the interview. I briefly met Adam, and then the publicist and I walked out to the balcony, at which point I was cautioned against making the interview "too gay," or, "you know, gay-gay." Specifically I was discouraged from asking about the March on Washington that upcoming weekend or other political topics. I pointed out the difference between the Advocate, Out's sister newsmagazine, and Out, which is more broadly a men's fashion and lifestyle book, but obviously made no promises one way or the other. It was pretty awkward, as if we were discussing two totally different people—an Adam who doesn't seem to have any real filter when talking about his life or his opinions, and an Adam who could somehow be contained, made safe for mainstream America.

When Adam joined us, the publicist left, and Adam and I sat down for a little over an hour on our own. You can read a transcript of it here. (It was very lightly edited, mostly to remove blathering set-up for questions on my part or redundant or vague discussion of an album that, in early October, didn't even contain a track listing.) He clearly has no trouble expressing himself on any issue, be it political, cultural, sexual or musical.

I still wish I'd been more surprised when I was met with such a ludicrous and offensive request. I am a journalist. I ask questions. Out is a magazine whose primary audience is gay men. Is anyone confused about that? I've been doing this for a long time and though I've been generically warned in a similar fashion before—"let's make it upbeat and fun!" reps often say, or "just talk about the album/movie/TV show!"—it's never been quite so egregious or with such an obvious expectation that I would comply.

When I filed my piece I included in the email what happened that day, and like Aaron's letter from the editor, it was full of anger. (Aaron at least has the excuse of being British, and in my experience when he's pissed off, everything he writes sounds more formal.) This is our profession, as much as Adam's is singing and entertaining. A decision to celebrate and respect that talent is why none of the circumstances surrounding the interview were mentioned in my piece within the actual portfolio.

I think Aaron's very right to point out that this scenario—a pop star at this level out from the get-go—is basically unprecedented. I've seen such striking change in even the last two or three years of how comfortable industry gatekeepers and their clients are in handling such new territory. We're witnessing a changing of the guard, and it's bound to overlap a bit in the middle, creating these strange moments where we work with both proudly out stars and their reluctant handlers, sometimes at odd with each other even when they have the same ultimate goals. I'm sorry it happened like this, too. But I'm looking forward to Adam Lambert having a long career, and to him proving every single one of us wrong in one way or another.

– SHANA NAOMI KROCHMAL"

What's interesting is that both Aaron Hicklin and Shana aren't pointing any fingers at Adam directly, but merely putting the ball in his court to see how he will respond to these allegations.

In essence, they are calling him out to either be a figure for gay the community or just another cog in the mainstream music machine. It's hard to know which way he'll go, considering he owes his career to the mainstream media, but at the same time, he has an obligation to himself to have the kind of image he can live with.

68 comments to “More On Glambert's De-Gaying Out Interview!”

Great publicity stunt for OUT magazing. Chill out, people and stop being such drama queens. The record company is trying to protect their financial interestes. As of yesterday, Adam's first single is struggling at #78 on Itunes. Hell, even Beyonce's old song "Single Ladies" was selling more. The record company execs are cognizant that the tweens / teens download more, on average, than adults. Having said that, Adam's album cover looks uber-gay and the stills from his video shoot also have a "no holds barred" look to them. Just let Adam sing and entertain us for now. He didn't sign up to be a gay icon. His life is a whirlwind now and he has more important things to worry about than this one magazine article. Go Adam!

CAN I SPOT PEOPLE WANTING TO SELL MAGAZINES…. OR SOMEONE LOOKING FOR THEIR 15 SECONDS OF FAME??? I THINK SO. ADAM IS CRAP AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE, SO EVERYONE JUST SHOULD SHUT THEIR PIKE HOLES. AND LET ADAM'S "CAREER" TAKES ITS TOLL AND GO QUIETLY AWAY…

***You’re a pioneer, an out gay pop idol at the start of his career. Someone has to be first, and we’re all counting on you not to mess this up.***

****It's hard to know which way he'll go, considering he owes his career to the mainstream media, but at the same time, he has an obligation to himself to have the kind of image he can live with.****

PLEASE TELL ME THIS A JOKE. I FEEL SICK. SINCE WHEN WAS IT OK TO FORCE SOMEONE TO BE SOME KIND OF ROLE MODEL!? He is a 27 year old singer! NOT a civil rights leader! In the MUSIC industry! NOT politics!

Seriously?! What the hell is this!? If Adam was in the UK, none of this BS would be thrown at him! Will Young, Mika, Sam Sparro, Elton John, Freddie, none of them were expected to represent anything like this! And Elton only started his civil rights actions years later after his music had settled. This is beyond ridiculous now I don't even know what to say.

I wonder, if Kelly Rowlands, Beyonce or Rihanna did a cover for Essance Magazine and their handlers said "Don't make her look too black, it could hurt her image" would people still be saying "Gee, what is the magazine so upset about?

Adam Lambert: The Out Interview, Part One & two are awesome!! Go to read!!
Adam is a great man an open book, the editor made this because scandal = publicity, Adam is a singer and gay and he likes icecream—, gay pop idol why? ice cream pop idol? No! He´s pop idol and World Idol

Why can't people leave the gay issue alone and appreciate good music and a great talented artist like Adam Lambert? I think he's already cool enough by coming out, unlike many other artists. Besides, he's already being himself enough with his "campy" album cover and stuff. You guys are asking for too much. WTF is wrong with you people?

Also, can you people drop the Itunes sales figure? It doesn't really represent how well the song is doing since the song was available on Adam's website days before it was on Itunes. It's not even advertised properly on Itunes anyway. Some countries don't even have access to Itunes too.

Adam is under contract with 19 Entertainment, and I'm sure they have a clearly written contract on what he can/can't do. I think you are putting him in a bad spot. I think he's done a fantastic job of being an outspoken gay man. Many gays I know don't even like him, nor support him. He's right when he says his largest fan base is women, they are the ones who truly except him for who he is.

OMG! Why the hell does it have to be one way or another? Can't he just 'be'??? Can't we as a society just appreciate his talent as a singer? Sure, he is flamboyant at times, other times not so much…depends on the song, the tone he is trying to make. But, why does he personally have to be a spokesperson for anyone???! I get so frustrated at both mainstream and the gay community for acting like this is more than what it is!! He is a singer. Thats all.

Another person trying to ride Adam's coattails. That editor needs to stop being a drama queen and get over it.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW is when are RCA going to release Adam's album properly? His fanbase is huuuuugely global. Yet no one outside of the US can even pre order. We have no access to the single OR the album. HELLO get on that already!

Adam does not deserve to be on that list. He is obviously not comfortable being out and discussing it. He'd rather let people (ie, tweens and sparkle cows) think that he is bi, so that they can have their fantasies and keep buying his music. He even talks about having sex with a female in the article. He is first and foremost a famewhore. He'll do anything to get a magazine cover or the spotlight. He only came out to get on the cover of Rolling Stone. Now that his music is tanking, he is heading for the closet.

P.S. I love it when people (ie fans) defend gays who shy away from discussing gay subjects. They say: "So what if he's gay? What does that matter? he still has good music?? Why can't he just be a person? Huh? Huh?" That's the kind of attitude that is destroying the Gay Games. Straight people are participating and don't want to be called gay.

"It’s a hard thing that everybody’s gonna have their opinion about. You know? Some people in the gay community might look at it like, “You really should’ve owned that. You didn’t hide it, but you didn’t admit it and that’s weak.” My whole point is, I’m not trying to lead the fucking way for the civil rights movement that we’re in right now. I just happen to be a gay man — and I’m not ashamed of that at all. Regardless of how I handled it, it became a huge issue. And I knew it would. So I figured, you know what, I’m just not going to label myself, I’m going to own the pictures, I’m going to get past it and just keep being myself on the show. And then I waited until after because I was finally given the opportunity. I mean, on the show, we’re not really [allowed to talk to press]."

LISTEN TO THE CD - it's GREAT, beautiful, fun, fearsome, haunting, and sexy!!!! Adam is doing all he needs to do for "the cause" by FIRST being a fucking freaking phenonmenal pop star. He will be the first openly-gay-from-the-get-go international pop star AND sex symbol. THAT'S his contribution and it is, incidentally, progress, but it's his journey, his dream, and it's about the MUSIC - everybody, just LISTEN TO THE CD and enjoy it.

I don't blame him. I think what he probably meant is not to dwell too much into his choice of lifestyle and not let that be the center of the whole interview. Advocate would never throw him under the bus like this. That is the difference between Out & Advocate.

Great way for the gay community to stab Adam in the back one week before his album comes out. It's funny how a large part of the "straight" community seems to be embracing Adam for his bravery in coming out and accepting him for who he is and the gay community is putting conditions on their supporting him, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." What hypocrites. This was a wonderful opportunity for Out Magazine to have people check out their magazine cause Adam fans were excited for this issue. Now most of us have decided against buying it. Adam has already made it very clear on where he stands on these issues. He doesn't owe ANYONE any further explanations.

Go fuck yourself you dirtbag shit head Perez. Stop making something from NOTHING. Adam is gay, get over it….I seriously doubt anyone is trying to make him less of anything he is. You're just trying to fan the flames of nothing - as usual you suck wad loser fat fuck.

"In essence, they are calling him out to either be a figure for gay the community or just another cog in the mainstream music machine. It's hard to know which way he'll go, considering he owes his career to the mainstream media, but at the same time, he has an obligation to himself to have the kind of image he can live with.

We're waiting, Adam. "

i don't get this statement… Why does he have to "choose" a side.. or a platform.. he's a singer not a apolitician… I thought the whole Idea of any movement was to be seen as an equal.. not to be set aside for you beliefs… preferences… ect.. Him having to decide whether he wants to be Adam Lambert the gay icon..or Adam Lambert the POP icon is ridiculous.. He's always said he doesn't want to be the head of any movement.. if people find meaning in anything he's doing..that's great..but that's not his intention.. I think its so incredible that he's been able to be a success so far..despite him being gay..which is how it should be.. He should me admired for his talent..not who he goes to bed with..

Maybe he wants to just be a great singer, a great entertainer, without having to be the front man for the gay community. Being an entertainer is hugely different than being an activist, although they are intertwined without asking to be, which is what I feel is the issue.

Let's be serious. Adam is under contract through the American Idol machine. Of course they don't want him to be "too gay". I don't think Adam had anything to do with the request other than having to deal with the middle aged, rich, white men who handle it all.

This is just a cheap ploy to sell magazines. The guy didn't sign up to be some gay icon, or anything but a singer really. Good luck getting him for another interview! Funny, now gays are being discriminated for not being gay enough!

Re: Lothar – loooooooooooooolllllllllllllll. You have someone as unfiltered and out there as Adam and you call him shy and going into the closet LMAO?! Are you retarded? Your comment is killing me. We have trolls like you who claim he's not talking ENOUGH about being gay THEN we have people who claim he talks TOO much about being gay lmao! WHEN it's BOTH the media's fault. Quit trying to cause BS you sh..i..t..s…tirrer. I can't wait to see what you're going to say when he has dancers and fire at his AMA performance next week. Shying away lmaaaaaaaaao. IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC you dumba..s…s. And oh his music is tanking? His album hasn't even been released globally yet LOL!! And if anyone thinks they have a chance w him, they're retarded as well. Not only has he repeatedly said he is genuinely Bi CURIOUS NOT BI, he is a CELEB. He's not going to date you even if he were staright. LOL, how do people like you survive?

Out magazine is doing exactly what his record people are trying to do. They are trying to tell him how to live his life. Who are they to tell him how he should handle his gayness? A persons sexuality is a very personal thing. Straight, gay, or bi……it is nobody else's business. I thank God I am not gay. Because I couldn't stand the pressure of having to be "Gay". "If you aren't gay enough….then you must be ashamed! And shame on you for that! Everybody should know who you like to sleep with. Its everybodies business. " I think I would probably kill myself than have to deal with all the bullshit. And by the way….his record people probably own his butt for the next 5 years. He can't control what they say or what they make him do.

Adam, my dear, I hope you know you are being used as a political football for a publication on the brink of extinction (like most magazines) and an idiot blogger. Out would have been much more ethical to NOT place Adam on the cover and write an article detailing the rediculousness of this whole experience but they gotta eat too so they got their cover and commenced to throw HIM (not so cleverly disguised as label and management) under the bus! It Adam that is expected to respond and be a superboy for the Gays so it's Adam's problem even if they "didn't point the finger directly at him" .

oh my god. poor adam! he's already said he doesn't want to be the leader/poster boy for the fucking gay movement. he's just gay, it's a preference, it doesn't define his career or life. adam didn't tell the publicist to tell the interviewer to 'not ask gay questions'. I mean adam just might not have wanted it to become about politics, I can see that. but why is this magazine whining about it publicly? what do they expect adam to do? seriously. make a public announcement that he's going to drop a successful label and career because some stupid publicist said to an interviewer not to ask 'gay' questions? no. he's caught in the middle. he can't say anything that would appease both sides even if he wanted to.

I think that Adam just needs to stay strong and stand by his OWN convictions- which is exactly what he did in that interview. He's NOT turning his back on the gay community, but he also strongly does not believe in defining himself based on his sexuality. He does not want to be the "gay poster boy", and I think it's incredibly, incredibly rude of anyone (*cough*Hicklin*cough*) to EXPECT him to be. By simply being himself and NOT letting his sexuality define him, he IS making a statement for the gay community- perhaps an even bolder one than if he were to go out and start being "all about being gay". He's simply being unapologetically himself, and advocating for people to stop thinking about "the gay community and the straight community", and simply become a HUMAN community. And I think that's very powerful. But even if it's not, he has the right to do whatever makes HIM most comfortable doing. He's already very openly out. So it's not like he's hiding in the closet and lying. From here on out, it should be whatever helps him sleep easy at night. He'll never be able to please everyone, and he shouldn't feel like he has to.

Spindoc's post speaks volumes: " I wonder, if Kelly Rowlands, Beyonce or Rihanna did a cover for Essance Magazine and their handlers said 'Don't make her look too black, it could hurt her image' would people still be saying 'Gee, what is the magazine so upset about?'"

What RCA wanted was disgusting. To Adam's credit, he's been as out as anyone could be in his personal life. I don't know if he has the legal freedom to speak out the way Perez wants him to. For all we know, he could have signed a contract to refrain from political statements. He took the fifth when asked about health care reform in some other interview.

I realize what the magazine is, but he is probably feeling like he doesn't want EVERYTHING to just be about him being gay. That's not all that he is, ya know? He's almost being put in just as much a box if people expect him to always be the *spokesperson* for this, as he would be if he were *conforming* to what the mainstream wanted. Maybe he just wants people to quit focusing SO much on his sexuality, and put the majority of the focus on his music. I don't think it's fair to expect him to be the face of the issue.

adam's management are the ones who supposedly didn't want him to come off as too gay, not adam himself. i don't think he gives a shit how gay he comes off, to be honest, otherwise he wouldn't say most of the things he says. "people" and management often do things behind clients backs and over their heads, to "look out" for them. you should know this perez, since you are such a famewhore yourself and prob have "people" of your own.

Leave Adam alone! He's not the gay Mother Theresa. He's an awesome singer/entertainer who HAPPENS TO BE GAY. Why does he have to be expected to be militant about his homosexuality? To me, it's just a piece of him, that's all. Back off and let the man start his career without everyone trying to convert him into some gay rights figurehead or poster child.

Why does he have to choose at all? Why not just be himself?? More gay rage…..why does Adam HAVE to address his sexuality in any certain way—to please one journalist? Please! Most entertainers don't address the issue at all. Such a stupid double standard. Adam has always said he doesn't want it to be the focus. He wants his music to be.

so in short, out magazine is doing the same thing you are. You both want Adam to come out in a shimmery pink dress and start singing "were here..were queer". To me thats absolutely insane. He doesnt have to be your symbol and I dont think people should be put into boxes that way. Gay or straight you have the right to keep your sex life private. He clearly isnt ashamed hes not hiding it. He just doesnt want to put himself out there

that's the business of the big-media machine manufactured celebrity. don't want him to be too much of anything as something may shrink the target audience which is the age 3 to 99 demographic. this sort of thing is happening to journalism all over and I hope to be a big fuck you to the system one day too.

Why should Adam be defined by his sexual preference? I wish everyone would just leave him alone. He's a great singer, performer, and that should be what defines him career-wise. I just like him no matter what the preference. Like who cares?

I think the record label finally is realizing how big mistake was having Adam look THAT gay in the album cover….and they are doing everything wrong now….too late. Too bad. Adam is a great singer….but he will never be mainstream.

This is one of the most ridiculous dialogues. It's marketing baby. The folks at OUT are USING Adam for PR and to sell mags. Adam's folks are using the media to sell Adam and his music.

No matter what…Adam has done a marvelous job of putting a positive face on what a young gay man looks and lives like. It has been a good thing to counter the folks who hate those who are different sexually. Grow up….and move on to a REAL problem. We have a lot of those in the country right now.

Adam, my dear, I hope you know you are being used as a political football Re: LadaLove –

Exactly. We all saw how well that worked out with Carrie Prejean didn't we? It ends up destroying lives and ruining careers. If the gays start turning on this kid now after THEY worked so hard to cram his lifestyle down everyone's throat…it's just not right. Adam need only listen to the muse of music and he'll be fine. I feel bad for this guy he's just starting out in the business.

He doesnt have to be your symbol and I dont think people should be put into boxes that way. Gay or straight you have the right to keep your sex life private. He clearly isnt ashamed hes not hiding it. He just doesnt want to put himself out thereRe: areyoukiddingme –
That is the most level headed statement I've ever read on this subject. If people would just learn to be more discrete, in general, how much trouble they would eliminate from their lives.

Oh please! Insisting he 'take sides' is just as bad as telling them to tone down the gay. He shouldn't have to tone it down, or ramp it up, he should just be who he is and people, whether straight OR gay or in-between should be able to just accept it.

And in a new interview published on Thursday, the college student admitted that she received a ton of hateful messages -- including death and rape threats -- following the crybaby candidate's digital tantrum.

The now-19-year-old explained to The Washington Post that she couldn't have anticipated the kind of backlash she received, saying: